Oscars 2025: Indie Film ‘Anora’ Stuns Hollywood With Best Picture Win

A Gritty Cinderella Story Takes the Top Prize

In a surprising turn at the 97th Academy Awards, Anora, a raw and unconventional drama about an exotic dancer who elopes with a Russian oligarch’s son, claimed the prestigious Best Picture award. Directed by Sean Baker, the Brooklyn-set screwball farce stood out in a competitive Oscar season, overcoming major studio productions like Wicked and Dune: Part Two.

Baker, a staunch advocate for theatrical releases, made history by winning four Oscars in one night—Best Picture, Best Director, Best Editing, and Best Original Screenplay. This feat ties him with Walt Disney’s 1954 record of winning four Oscars for separate films. The indie triumph, produced on a modest $6 million budget, grossed just $16 million at the box office, making it one of the lowest-earning Best Picture winners in Oscar history.

Sean Baker Calls for a Revival of Theatrical Releases

Upon accepting the Best Director award, Baker championed traditional cinema, urging filmmakers to create movies for the big screen. “Where did we fall in love with the movies? At the movie theater,” he stated. “Filmmakers, keep making films for the big screen.” His speech echoed his advocacy for the 90-day exclusive theatrical release model, a stance he carried throughout the awards season.

Big Wins for Madison, Adrien Brody, Kieran Culkin, and Zoe Saldaña

The acting categories saw several notable victories:

  • Best Actress: Anora star Madison won for her breakout performance, prevailing over industry veteran Demi Moore (The Substance). She and Baker dedicated their wins to honoring sex workers’ lives and struggles.
  • Best Actor: Adrien Brody secured his second Oscar, 22 years after winning for The Pianist. His performance as a Holocaust survivor in The Brutalist edged out Timothée Chalamet (A Complete Unknown), who had the chance to become the youngest-ever Best Actor winner.
  • Best Supporting Actor: Kieran Culkin continued his awards season dominance with a win for A Real Pain.
  • Best Supporting Actress: Zoe Saldaña won for her role in Emilia Pérez, marking a historic moment as the first American of Dominican descent to claim an Academy Award. “I am a proud child of immigrant parents with dreams and dignity,” she said. “And I know I will not be the last.”

Animated Film ‘Flow’ Stuns with Historic Win

One of the night’s biggest upsets came in the Best Animated Feature category, where Flow, a wordless Latvian film, triumphed over DreamWorks’ The Wild Robot. The ecological parable marked Latvia’s first-ever Oscar win. Director Gints Zilbalodis, accepting the award, humorously thanked his cats and dogs.

‘Wicked’ and ‘Dune: Part Two’ Dominate Technical Categories

Despite missing out on Best Picture, Wicked won for Production Design and Costume Design. Costume designer Paul Tazewell received a standing ovation, becoming the first Black man to win in the category.

Dune: Part Two claimed Oscars for Visual Effects and Sound, with its iconic sandworm becoming a recurring gag throughout the night.

Political Undercurrents at the Oscars

While host Conan O’Brien largely steered clear of politics, some moments stood out:

  • Daryl Hannah, presenting an award, said simply: “Slava Ukraini” (“Glory to Ukraine!”).
  • No Other Land, a documentary about Israeli occupation of the West Bank, won Best Documentary. Its co-directors, Palestinian filmmaker Basel Adra and Israeli filmmaker Yuval Abraham, delivered a powerful speech about coexistence.
  • I’m Still Here, a Brazilian film about resistance under military dictatorship, won Best International Film, overcoming early frontrunner Emilia Pérez.

A Ceremony Marked by Nostalgia and Hollywood’s Changing Landscape

This year’s Oscars followed a turbulent period for the film industry, with 2024’s box office down 3% from the previous year and still struggling to recover from pandemic-era declines. The impact of the 2023 Hollywood strikes and devastating California wildfires earlier this year also cast a shadow over the ceremony.

O’Brien, in his first time hosting, balanced humor with heartfelt tributes, including a touching moment honoring the late Gene Hackman. “This week, our community lost a giant,” said Morgan Freeman, Hackman’s Unforgiven co-star. “And I lost a dear friend.”

With indie films dominating the winners’ list, this year’s Academy Awards reinforced a shift in Hollywood—one that prioritizes unique storytelling over box-office blockbusters.

👉 Stay informed with real-time updates and in-depth analysis at NewsLink7.com. Fact-checked news that matters. Follow us 24/7, 365 days. There are no sides, just the truth. Explore more stories and stay ahead with NewsLink7.com.